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Journalists urged to consider solutions journalism

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Journalists urged to consider solutions journalism

Beverly Bizeki

Journalists in Masvingo have been urged to start considering solutions journalism in their work as they increase reportage on organised torture and violence.
Speaking at a press club organized by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) with support from Research And Advocacy Unit (RAU) in Masvingo, Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) media lecturer and Campus Radio Director Golden Maunganidze said it was important for journalists to start considering solutions journalism in an environment where there is organised violence and torture.
“It is not popular yet but these days people are talking about solutions journalism, how do journalists come in where there are conflicts, human rights can be violated where people can fight for resources, power among other things but we can also have case studies from elsewhere we may not be writing hard news stories but we can write feature stories and bring solutions on the table.
“Solutions journalism is about how we balance stories, how the media gets to bring warring people on the table where they also discover there is no need to fight each other, and see the need to talk. It’s how the media educates the people on the good and bad,” said Maunganidze.
Maunganidze who is also Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) national and regional chairperson said it was crucial for members of the media to research and read widely to proffer solutions in their work.
“It is also incumbent upon ourselves to simplify what the constitution says for the ordinary persons so we have a huge role but we cannot do that if we do not research and read beyond the things that we learnt in schools so there is need to continuously read and draw examples from elsewhere,” said Maunganidze.
Solutions journalism is an approach to news writing that focuses on response, outcome, evidence and insights.
Another presenter, Yolanda Chandata who is a legal practitioner members of the press to improve reportage on organized violence and torture saying they should do that without fear or favor but making sure that they report accurately.

Man ‘burns’ neighbor’s vehicle over well dispute

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Man ‘burns’ neighbor’s vehicle over well dispute

Bright Zhou

A 48 year -old Masvingo man who resides at village 12 Mkosi resettlement under chief Shumba recently appeared before Masvingo magistrate Ivy Jaona on Malicious damage of property charges after setting his neighbor’s vehicle on fire over a dispute involving a village water well.
He was remanded in custody to October 4, 2023for continuation on.
It is the states’ case as presented by Isabel Pambuka that on September, 2023 the accused person Peter Masvimbo (48) went on to fence a well tha was being used by whole community in the village including the complainant Kenias Muroiwa (51).
Muroiwa then confronted Masvimbo asking why he had fenced the well, Masvimbo blocked members of the village from fetching water at the well and this did not go well until the matter was reported to village headman Phineas Zezai who later summoned Muroiwa to rule on the matter.
A misunderstanding arose between Muroiwa and Masvimbo and, on September 29, 2023 at around 0325hours, Masvimbo went to Muroiwa’s homestead whilst Muroiwa was sleeping in his bedroom.
Muroiwa then noticed a light used by Masvimbo passing in between the kitchen and his bedroom, suddenly he saw Masvimbo set on fire to his vehicle Toyota Noah which was parked between the bedroom and the kitchen.
Muroiwa then came outside his bedroom and noticed a huge flame of fire coming up from the engine of his vehicle, Muroiwa then saw Masvimbo through the fire light and he fled away into the darkness after Muroiwa called him by his name.
Muroiwa did not chase Masvimbo he managed to set off fire on his vehicle, he then went to Masvimbo’s homestead about one hundred and fifty metres from his home and he had an ambush before Masvimbo reached his homestead.
Muroiwa then saw Masvimbo entering his homestead and he took no action at that moment he then reported the matter at Muchakata ZRP and investigations were instituted leading to the arrest of Masvimbo.

Gutu man in court for impersonating Chief Munyikwa

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Gutu man in court for impersonating Chief Munyikwa

Admire Chatindo

An 86- year- old man from Muvavarirwa village, under Chief Munyikwa in Gutu recently appeared before Gutu magistrate facing charges of impersonating Chief Munyikwa.
Rafinos Kubiku who pleaded not guilty is alleged to have convened a meeting which he chaired as Chief Munyikwa and dispatched letters with the chief’s signature summoning people to another meeting.
However, the matter is still pending as the state requested to do more investigations after the defense council argued that the accused gained nothing from the meeting rendering the case incomplete.
The state alleged that on May 4, 2023, Rafinos Kubiku (86) convened a meeting at Kubiku Primary School, Gutu, where he chaired as Chief Munyikwa. The accused person went on to dispatch letters for a meeting which was to be conducted on May 25 2023 at Kubiku Primary School and one of the family members Ishimael Rukato Kubiku received the letter.
In his defense, Kubiku claimed he never impersonated the chief but simply invited the Kubiku family members, to a meeting, whose agenda was to discuss the abuse of the Kubiku surname.
He said it was a family gathering to discuss family matters and never asked or demanded anything from those present.
Kubiku said there was an existing dispute over chieftainship with four heads of families challenging the installation of the current Chief Munyikwa born Killion Rashamira with the dispute still pending before the High Court in Masvingo.
Kubiku (86) was nabbed for obtaining advantage for himself or for some other person impersonates a peace officer as he misrepresents as chief Munyikwa and convened a meeting at Kubiku primary school realizing that there is a risk or possibility that he was lying.
The accused was never informed formally about the installation of the new chief and had been acting since 2015

Unfair distribution of inputs affecting Pfumvudza – Farmers

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Unfair distribution of inputs affecting Pfumvudza – Farmers

Faith Duri

Communal farmers in Masvingo province have lamented unfair distribution of farming inputs saying it was the reason why most of them are no longer taking part in Pfumvudza programme.
This was revealed by Masvingo ward 13 Agriculture extension officer Siphephile Dewa during a Urea Treatment of Stover and Pfumvudza tour by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr John Basera recently.
“There are 523 households in my ward and 232 managed to participate in pfumvudza, some farmers didn’t participate because they are demotivated saying they will not get inputs as promised.
“It is my hope that the coming of Dr Basera will however give people hope and motivation on government’s commitment towards the programme and will see other farmers who participated receiving their inputs,” said Dewa.
She said those who are part of the programme will get their inputs as they prepare and wait for the rains to put down their seeds.
“The input package for household food production will have 10kg maize seed or alternatively 2kg sorghum seed or 1kg pearl millet, 2kg groundnuts seed or 2kg sunflower or castor bean, 2kg sugar beans.
They will also get one 50kg bag top dressing, 50kg basal, 50kg lime, one-unit fall armyworm chemicals, 200ml bottle of Fipronil each termite control in termite prone areas and post-planting herbicide for three plots,” said Dewa.
She went on to say the programme was also affected by delays in preparing pfumvudza holes by farmers who fail to do it in winter as expected.
“The main challenge we are facing is that our farmers tend to dig their Pfumvudza holes near the farming season of which they are supposed to prepare them during the winter season,” she said.
In his address, Dr Basera said inputs should be distributed fairly and equitably and urged every farmer to take part.
“Distribution must be done fairly and equitably, the inputs have to be properly used for us to achieve the desired results and abuse of the inputs will not be tolerated.
“We advise farmers against selling inputs, audit of inputs will be carried out during distribution to ensure transparency,” said Dr Basera.
Masvingo province is targeting 326 484 beneficiaries of the pfumvudza programme which translates to 1 632 420 plots amounting to 101 863ha.
Of the 105 897 beneficiaries trained so far 42 359 are male while 63 538 are females and 13 360ha have been prepared to date.

Family appeals for information on missing person

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Family appeals for information on missing person

Beverly Bizeki

A family in Masvingo is looking for their relative who is missing and appealing for information that can help to establish his whereabouts.
The missing person Munyaradzi Mureyi disappeared sometime in early June this year and has not been seen to date.
Munyaradzi’s Brother Tagona Mureyi reported to the police after his brother went missing but no leads have been found.
My brother went missing sometime in June when he left the house saying he was going to Gweru and since then we have never heard from him.
“We reported the matter at Chikato Police Station but no leads had been found yet,” said Tagona
He said on the day, Munyaradzi (42) left his home in Mucheke A in Masvingo saying he was heading to Gweru and was wearing a blue stripped golf t shirt with grey jeans.
Tagona Mureyi can be contacted on +263 77 706 5905 or +27 78 441 7721

Former Zvishavane Town secretary caged 2 years

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Former Zvishavane Town secretary caged 2 years

Tinaani Nyabereka

ZVISHAVANE – Midlands Provincial Magistrate Miriam Banda has sentenced Zvishavane Town Secretary Tinoda Mukutu (53) to an effective two years in jail on charges of criminal abuse of office.
Mukutu was sentenced together with former Housing Director Nhlanhla Ngwenya (44) and Town Engineer, Dominic Mapwashike (44).
The trio were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) but latter got out on ZWL$30 000 bail each.
According to state papers the trio were convicted for flouting tender procedures and re-awarding a tender to JM Construction after the contractor failed to fulfil terms of the first contract. The second contract was also awarded without a council resolution
According to court papers, on 23 May 2016, the local authority entered into a partnership with Monitor Enterprises trading as JM Construction for the servicing of 27 extension stands in the Central Business District (CBD) valued at US$2 772 258.31.
The contract was terminated after the two-year agreed timeframe lapsed before JM Construction completed the task.
A notice of cancellation of the partnership was served to JM Construction by the Town Council’s lawyers Chigariro, Phiri and Partners Legal Practitioners on October 1, 2018.
However, on December 17, 2019, the trio went on and hand-picked JM Construction to continue with the contract without going to tender.

Armed robber steals US$1-00 from victim

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Armed robber steals US$1-00 from victim

Admire Chatindo

A 53- year -old man from Bikita, appeared before Masvingo regional magistrate Bishard Chineka facing three counts of robbery and one of rape of which he went away with US$1 on one of the counts.
The matter was postponed to October 19 2023 for continuation of trial.
It is a state’s case as presented by prosecutor Liberty Hove that on August 1, 2023 at Makangaidze Village in Bikita, the accused Jealous Tobaiwa used an axe and iron bar threateningly, with intentions to stab and kill Clementine Munyika, the rightful owner of property to which Tobaiwa wanted to have possession over.
Tobaiwa took US$1-00 after damaging two window panes and one wooden door into pieces using the axe and iron bar before getting away.
He proceeded on the same day at Foroma, Bikita to another house where he pounced on a female victim (name withheld) and knocked thrice on the door before damaging a metal screen door, metal door frame and one wooden door using an iron bar to gain entry into the house.
He displayed an axe and iron bar to the victim and demanded for cash while threatening to kill her after he which he took two cellphones and US$70 from her wallet.
The accused then pulled the complainant outside the hut demanding for more cash and ordered her to undress before dragging her into a nearby bush where he raped her once in the presence of a 16 year old girl.
He fled the scene and proceeded to 74 year old Esnath Mariga, his third victim’s house where he broke a wooden door on her house using the same axe and iron bar to gain entry.
Tobaiwa threatened to kill the old lady using his two weapons and forcibly took US$25 from the woman and disappeared into the darkness.
On August 4, police picked information to the effect that the accused had been seen by Winnet Mukotami and another female juvenile who had seen him on the same day at their place of residence with the same clothing items and weapons intending to commit the same crime.
The two who knew the accused by name and physical appearance informed the police leading to the arrest of the accused at his workplace. The accused led the police to his homestead where the clothing items from the night the crimes were committed were recovered together with the weapons and US$40.

Zaka villagers turning into land barons

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Zaka villagers turning into land barons

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Villagers around Jerera have become a menace to the local Chief and Zaka Rural District Council after having joined their village heads in the gravy train of selling land to unsuspecting buyers who are enticed by proximity to Jerera Growth Point.
Chief Ndanga born Wilson Makono said selling of land was becoming a menace in these areas saying previously it was limited to village heads but has since cascaded to villagers themselves who are selling potions of their land despite continuous engagements by responsible authorities to stop the practice.
“Village heads used to be major culprits but now villagers themselves have joined in, they are selling portions of their land to land seekers because they are close to Jerera Growth point.
“We have been engaging them timely but they don’t listen. Now we are also engaging those who are buying land and telling them that when time of expansion comes they may see their homes being destroyed,” said Ndanga.
He went on to say they have local punitive measures to the acts but without people understanding it was still difficult for them to stop the act.
He also said apart from villagers themselves, other members of the royal families are also into illegal selling of land without the consent of substantive village heads with most of them selling land belonging to people who are now based in towns or abroad.
“Some members of the royal families are also selling land belonging to people who are based in towns or out of the country. I have received a number of cases where brothers to village heads sell land behind village heads’ back.
“They usually target land that has not been tilled for some time and when owners come back they would find structures already in place. However, we have regular punitive measures for such people and we are dealing with it,” said Ndanga.
The Chief said a piece of land had gone up to USD$1000 up from around US$400
“At first they were selling at round US$400 but because of demand, the prices have risen and recently I saw an advert advertising a piece of land being charged at US$1000,” said Ndanga
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Zaka Central legislator where the area falls under, Davis Marapira also confirmed the development and warned people against the act saying the long arm of the law will definitely catch up with them.
“It is true that land around Jerera Growth Point and along the road to Zaka Township has been sold without following proper procedures. Land belongs to the State. It is only the President through Local Government Ministry who can authorize selling of land for commercial or domestic use after following proper procedures.
“This is done illegally, the land being sold belongs to the community who uses the land for growing crops and keeping their livestock for their livelihood.
“The law is clear on that, those who sold land will be prosecuted whilst for those who bought the land, ignorance has no defence,” said Marapira.
The issue is prevalent in village Musiso, Mateko, Gwanya, Manyimo and Chipezeze among others and Zaka RDC is failing to stem the expansion of these villages into areas earmarked for Jerera expansion.
The illegal settlement emerged after council surveyed land in the surrounding villages and put it under Jerera expansion plan.

Sugar cane rotting in delivery queue at mills

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Sugar cane rotting in delivery queue at mills

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Chiredzi sugarcane farmers are complaining over Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe (THZ) Company’s delay to take in their sugarcane forcing them to spend three to five days in queue to deliver one load while Kilimanjaro out growers, whose cane is managed by THZ, are getting priority through express routes into both Triangle and Hippo Valley mills.
Hippo Valley Productive Sugarcane Farmers Association (HVPSFA) Chairperson, Patrick Muvingi said there has been a deliberate delay by the miller to take in farmer’s sugarcane in order to manage her cash flow while opening a green route for respected people as well as the Kilimanjaro farmers.
“It’s sad that we took almost 12 months growing sugarcane but we are now failing to recover our costs as most of our cane is rotting before being delivered to the miller.
“Burnt sugarcane is supposed be milled within 48hrs but we are now spending three to five days to deliver our cane.
“The Miller is even failing to abide by the quota system, where farmers are supposed to deliver certain bundles of cane per day and we now spending five days to deliver what we were supposed to deliver in a single day,” said Muvingi.
He lamented the conditions that delivery truck drivers endure in queues since there are no toilets where they wait.
“There are no toilets and we are forced to bring in food to our drivers who would be in queues for some days because the company gave us false promises,” said Muvingi.
Kenneth Chafanza one of the truck drivers said it was disheartening that the company was even locking the toilets they are supposed to be using.
”We were used to the quota system where farmers would deliver certain bundles per day. Now the five bundles that I am supposed to deliver on a single day is now being delivered after five days. We are being holed up here in harsh weather conditions and we even don’t have toilets to use while we are waiting to deliver the cane because they are locked,” said Chafanza.
The milling is supposed to close on the 8th of December but farmers are yet to finish delivering their cane to the mill.
THZ’s Head of Corporate and Industry Affair, Doctor Dahlia Garwe, said the challenge was emanating from farmers themselves as they were failing to implement the quota system and bringing in more that they require per day and that was causing queues.
“The mills are up and running as usual. We have a policy to communicate to farmers whenever there is a breakdown to alert and advise them not to bring cane to the mill until the issue has been resolved and this is done in real time.
“One of the biggest problems we are facing is that some farmers bring cane outside their allocated quota. By this we mean, farmers are allocated specific days on which they are supposed to deliver their cane to the mills. If they bring cane outside their specific time slots, we then have the long queues that you have seen. The farmers working outside the quota system are causing inconveniences to those that would have been properly booked.
“More cane than can be comfortably handled arrive at the mills causing the kind of difficulties you have observed.
“We urge all our farmers to religiously observe the quota system to maintain order in the delivery system and avoid inconvenience of an ordinate time in the queue awaiting delivery into the mills,” said Dr Garwe.
However, Mkwasine Estates which transport 80% of their cane by rail are also facing the same challenge as the train that is supposed to take only 8 hours offloading is now extending to 24 hours.
The sugar industry, is slowly crumbling following governments open door policy to imports aimed at thwarting price surges, which has significantly affected the sale of Hullets sugar in the domestic market, with tons still being stacked at Tongaat Huletts Zimbabwe which has significantly affected sugarcane delivery by out grower farmers as the company is slowly failing to pay them.
THZ and most out grower farmers signed a new contract, Cane Purchase Agreement (CPA) while a few went for the old one, the Milling Agreement where the former allows the company to pay for the cane delivered withing 10 working days at the cost of US$54.89 per ton while the later implies that the company will sell the sugar on behalf of the farmer and will be paid on monthly basis after deducting their milling charge.
The Milling Agreement allows Tongaat to pay farmers after they have sold the sugar while the CPA forces the company to pay the farmers on cane delivery, which has been difficult for the cash strapped company to pay as they are even failing to quickly rectify mill breakdowns and suppliers will be demanding cash up front.
The Zimbabwe Sugar Sales, which is a subsidiary of THZ and responsible for selling sugar internationally and domestically escalated sugar price a few months ago citing an increase in the cost of production, which forced the government to allow importation of basics including sugar which is now being sold at a lower cost that Huletts sugar which is produced locally thereby reducing supplies in the domestic market.

Gweru Urban MP, Councilors in unity of purpose

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Gweru Urban MP, Councilors in unity of purpose

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru urban Member of Parliament Josiah Makombe has promised to push for policies that ensures employment opportunities and development in his constituency among other post-election promises
Makombe, who is former Gweru City Mayor, was speaking at an engagement meeting organized by TellZim News in the Midlands capital where he promised to work hand in hand with council to address challenges affecting the residents and lobby for policies that support development.
“I promise to work on the establishment of recreational facilities for youths in a bid to curb drug abuse and prostitution, creation of employment opportunities by pushing for policies which support the developmental agenda.
“My focus is now on sourcing of funds from government to ensure that Gweru constituency retains its Progress Status once again,” said Makombe.
Gweru Deputy Mayor Nyaradzo Madzikura said her office was open to everyone and promised to be non-partisan.
“As the Deputy Mayor my office is nonpartisan, I am here for every Gweru resident, to work with everyone. We cannot build this city on partisan grounds. We need to be united as a people,” said Madzikura.
Ward 2 councilor Rutendo Chuma said council will address environment, sanitation issues and protection of women from prostitution and also introduce clean up campaigns spearheaded by females.
“I am disturbed by the decline in quality service provision because of the water situation whereby in-laws bump into each other with buckets of water to pour in the lavatories,” said Chuma
One resident Jenny Chimange bemoaned the lack of water and toilets at Mtapa market saying it was a health hazard and urged the leadership to prioritise employment creation for residents.
“Lack of water and toilets at Mtapa market is posing as a health hazard to everyone in Mtapa how is council going to address this issue.
“What is the local authority and government doing about employment creation both at local and national level? We cannot continue to watch our children getting involved in dangerous activities such as abusing drugs because of unemployment.
“There is need for inclusion of fresh blood in council which are not students on attachment only. It hurts to find out that vacancies within GCC are filled by outsiders despite locals having required documents,” Chimange added.
TellZim News editor Passmore Kuzipa however urged the Gweru community to work collectively to proffer solutions to address the challenges affecting residents in the city and said the organization was going to do more engagements with residents and local leaders.

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